OLDER PERSONS AND DEVELOPMENTWork and the aging labor force
Research should be carried out on the capabilities of people as they age in the work force and current perceptions and practices which may discriminate against them in working situations should be eradicated. Further research is needed in areas such as the dynamics and consequences of demographic changes leading to an older work force. Educational opportunities for people at all ages need to be provided to facilitate capacities for changing work roles with ageing. Assessment and rehabilitation services for older persons should include considerations of capacity and preferences for continuing active participation in the work force which may require provision of assistive devices engineered especially for older workers.
Research- It has been demonstrated that the pension crisis is an example of apocalyptic demography, the exaggeration and oversimplification of a demographic trend that leads to a “doom and gloom” outlook often used to justify policy changes involving cuts to health and social services. There is little evidence to support this perception; more intensive research of these issues is needed.
- The impact of global aging on economic growth and particularly on personal savings and investment behaviors needs investigation to allay myths associated with these phenomena.
- The contributions of men and women in undertaking unpaid work that contributes to well-being of all generations should be examined systematically
- Workers of all ages should have access to appropriately designed training and retraining programs to increase their ability to participate in the work force.
- A global understanding of work, retirement and pension systems necessitates recognition of the relationships among population ageing, globalization, and economic well-being of nations.
- There are strong arguments for the idea of development of minimal income security provisions in all countries to support the right to retire especially for those unable to work at older ages.
- Social policy must transcend traditional demographic and economic models and include a socially responsible notion of productivity and security.
- To combat age discrimination in the workplace and job markets, societies should correct ageist portrayals of elderly workers.
- Work should be restructured to create greater flexibility and allow persons to accommodate increasingly diverse work and migratory transitions. Meaningful work and clean and safe workplaces equate with enhanced productivity.
- State support should allow women and men with family responsibilities to work when they are able. Combining this with increased work opportunities for older workers who desire to continue in the paid workforce will help balance projected numerical declines in other parts of some national labor forces.
- There is a need to recognize equitable conceptualizations and models of paid and unpaid work.
- International competition affects the development of welfare systems and threatens to break down established systems, which have been important for old-age poverty reduction in many nations.
- Social movements that support the advancement of alternative models of development must be supported to balance the growing power of major neo-liberal global economic institutions that determine social policy.
- Pension systems should be linked to individuals rather than spouses.